This first-ever series of in-depth dialogues with Samdhong Rinpoche, the current Prime Minister of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, presents his refreshing views on a wide range of pressing topics including the problems of the present political world order, the philosophy of �non-violence� (Ahimsa) and �truth-insistence� (Satyagraha), and the plight of Tibet in the face of the communist Chinese invasion. Informed throughout by his deep belief in the principles of Tibetan Buddhism, Samdhong Rinpoche holds to an uncompromising vision of the Truth--the way the world could be if it renounced its destructive path of unprincipled pragmatism and worldly compromise.
Uncompromising Truth for a Compromised World: Tibetan Buddhism and Today's World, Samdhong Rinpoche, World Wisdom Books, Paperback, 2006, 245 Pages, $22.95
Samdhong Rinpoche was born as Lobsang Tenzin in 1939, in the Tibetan province of Kham. At age five, he was recognized and enthroned as the reincarnation of the fourth Samdhong Rinpoche. (The Tibetan term "Rinpoche" in an honorific title literally meaning "precious one," and is used for revered teachers and lamas.) He began his monastic studies at age 12 and eventually obtained a Doctorate in Buddhist sciences at the University of Drepung in Tibet in 1970. In 1959, Rinpoche fled to India to escape the repressive Chinese government in Tibet. There, he was commissioned by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to serve as a teacher to monks in exile. He was appointed director of the Central Institute for Higher Tibetan Studies in Varanasi in 1988 and remained there until 2001. On July 29, 2001, Rinpoche was named Kalon Tripa, or Prime Minister of the Tibetan Exile Government, the first political leader to be directly elected by the people in exile.
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgments
The Venerable Samdhong Rinpoche
PART I: THE LONG ROAD TO NOW
Introduction
The Dialogues:
Origins
Biological Evolution
Societies
Culture
Governance
Economies
Industry and Commerce
Law
Philosophy
Religion
Morality
Spirituality
Science
Art
Complexity and Escapism
Civilization and Decline
The Future in Prospect
PART II: THE MODERN INDIVIDUAL
Introduction
The Dialogues
PART III: HUMANKIND IN SAMSARA, ON EARTH, AND IN
THE UNIVERSE
Introduction
The Dialogues:
The Gap between Governments and the Governed
Law as Moral Sufficiency
Environmental Destruction
International Influence and Expansionism
Power
Violence and War
America and the Superpower Principle
Toothless International Law-
The Ideal
A View on This Millennium
PART IV: TIBET-THE MODERN WORLD�S HIDDEN
TRAGEDY
Introduction
The Invasion and Occupation of Tibet
Tibet at the United Nations
The Cultural Revolution
Post-Maoist Policies
The Scope of Abuse
Religious Persecution
Two Statements from April 2003
Plunder and Destruction for China�s Benefit
Population Transfer: China�s �Final Solution� for Tibet
The Status of Tibet
What Tibetans Want
The Response from Beijing
The Karma of Tibet
The Dialogues:
The Karma of Tibet
Tibet and Taiwan: Contrasting Stances
Preserving Dharma and Buddhist Culture in Tibet
The Future Vision of Tibet
Losing Patience With Non-Violence
PART V: SATYAGRAHA AND AHIMSA
(TRUTH-INSISTENCE AND NON-HARMFULNESS)
Introduction
The Dialogues
PART VI: THE FOUNDATIONAL VIEW-BUDDHADHARMA
The Life of Siddhartha Gotama
The First Noble Truth: The Truth of Suffering
The Second Noble Truth: The Truth of the Causes of Suffering
The Third Noble Truth: The Truth of the Cessation of Suffering
The Fourth Noble Truth: The Eightfold Path
Karma
Rebirth
Interdependent Origination
Impermanence, Suffering, Not-Self
The Five Aggregates
Compassion
Wisdom-Compassion and the Six Perfections
Bodhicitta and Skilful Means
The Bodhisattva
The Inner and Outer Lama
Study and Practice
The Vajrayana
View, Conduct, Meditation
Taking Refuge
The Dialogues
Conclusion
Biographical Notes
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